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A Foodie Week in Norwich, Norfolk

 

If you’re like me and you travel to eat, then when you’re on holiday you wouldn’t want to waste a single meal - ever restaurant & every meal counts.
So, I was thinking if I was coming to Norwich for a week on holiday where would I choose to eat from the experience that I have now.

There you after just booking in to Lodge Farm Holiday Barns in the beautiful village of Bawburgh, beside Bawburgh Lakes, other hotels, self-catering cottages and Bed and Breakfasts are available!

And your off - - - - -

Its Friday night, you’ve been traveling for a while and have eaten some atrocity at a service station, so you don’t want to go mad but you want something delicious and nutritious.

Friday Dinner

Workshop, 53 Earlham Road – free off-street parking around the area after 6 pm. Its rustic with order at the bar service but the food is divine. Small sharing plates of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern fusion dishes. You’d get 5 dishes with a basket of bread for around £30-40. Try their mango lassi for £3.50 or a Moroccan pot of mint tea and a ‘Nata’. But they also have a well-stocked bar. Open from 3 -11pm, closed Sunday & Monday.

Or

Keep it local at Bawburgh Kings Head, NR93LS – our local pub, 4 minutes’ drive away. A gastro pub at its best with classics and foodie delights or go for bar snacks for £2-3 to share including local pork pie, whitebait and olives. Local ales, fresh orange juice, hot bevies and great wine. Plus, in winter chill on a sofa near the open fire. Open 7 days a week.

The best Breakfast if you so choose

The Ivy – City Centre, London Street, NR21LD A infamous chain of high class Art Deco indulgent restaurants, with amazing service and a full breakfast menu. A full English for £13.50 or choose from other classics like Eggs Benedict.

or

Louis Deli & Cafe – 81 Upper St Giles, NR21AB - you may be able to park on the street outside or at least nearby via pay metre. Louis’s offers a good hearty local breakfast with rustic toast and jam for around £8-12 inc, a drink. Open 7 days a week. From 8am / 10am on a Sunday.

or

Olives – a little café, specialising in the full English, down (40) Elm Hill. £10.50 for a full English inc, Toast. Voted the best in Norwich by my blogging mate the Fry Up Inspector. Closed on Monday – open from 9am.

 

Saturday Lunch

Of course, you could take a trip to North Norfolk, wander around Wells, Holt and Clay - - then book in to Cookies Crab Shop for the Lobster platter, around £15. It’s just a shanty old fishing hut, with a summer house and a few marquises but it’s an institution and a must for all seafood lovers. Plus, you get to look over the salt marshes on to the sea beyond. Closed on a Monday & closed over winter.

Or

Whip in to ‘Byfords’ in Holt for some lunch time classics, pastry’s and amazing cakes.

Or

Drive to Sherringham or Cromer and have Fish and Chips overlooking the Sea. Like at Number One, Cromer – ‘Galtons’ gastro fish and chip pad. But take aways just as good if you can smell the sea air.

 

Saturday Evening Nibbles and Cocktails

You’ve had a busy day and now it’s time to let your hair down, or keep it tied up!!!
See below for cocktails*

Jive – is a Mexican restaurant offering freshly cooked tacos and more. Go forsome smaller dishes and a few sides to share and ramp it up with a cocktail. On 24 Exchange St, first floor opposite Jarrolds.

or

Further down the Street is East 26 offering absolutely tasty sharing dishes. Order a few with a few sides to pick at - - of course with a cocktail. Closed on Sundays.

Or

Even further down the street is The Wallow – a fabulous help yourself if wanted (or not) wine bar (buy a card), offing a great deli selection of nibbles, cheeses, dips, breads and pickings – great to share.

Les Garrigues, 21 St John Maddermarket, closed on Sundays – a French wine bar offering deli sharing platters. A social hub – to chat, wine and cheese yourself silly.

Figbar – Next door offers amazing desserts and bakes with drinks. Perfect after a stole around the city. Closed Sundays & Mondays.

Let’s get to the good stuff - - - - Cocktails

The Roof Garden, Union Building, 51-59 Rose Lane, top floor – it says what it does on the tin, well it’s got a big roof garden. Offering a good quality selection of Cocktails, average £9.

The Gin Temple – upstairs, above Rabbit and opposite The Belgium Monk on Potergate is a classy, relaxed and friendly bar, specialising in local Gins - - and we have tons. Plus, a good selection of classic Gin cocktails. Around £6.50 or a single Gin and Tonic £6.

The Gin Palace – upstairs above The Mash Ton 16 Charing Cross is a 1920’s speak-easy style bar, specialising in Gins from all over the globe, they’ve got 100’s. Around £9.

Gonzo’s Tea Rooms - 68 London Street, a messed up rustic mad collector’s man cave – but such a cool eclectic space with a roof garden too. With some of the best cocktails in Norwich – try the coffee one! Around £8-10. Open every day from midday.

Bar Hawthorn – on 2 – 4 St Benedict’s Street, offers an up and down stairs cocktail bar with a great menu, you won’t get the classics but you’ll get some great infusions. Closed Sundays and Mondays, open from 5pm.

Further down there is the man cave of a different brain, a scientific, vintage antique 1940’s vibe called Arboretum, Sit on sacks and wonder at the oddities, while a massive dog loll’s around. Vintage themed cocktails – no menu, all £6.50 just answer some questions and they’ll magically make a cocktail that suits.

Go even further down and you’ll get to The Ten Bells – a neat and tidy, steam punk bar with a Gin distillery, the home of Bullard’s award-winning Gin. Offering a delicious selection of cocktails from £8. 74-78 St Benedict’s Street, open from midday every day.

The Birdcage 23 Pottergate, opposite the Grosvenor fish and chip shop you can even eat them in the bar. Great teas, cocktails, drinks and beers. In this arty creative space. Open every day from 11am until midnight, Sundays from 4pm-11pm.

 

Then there’s Sunday Lunch

A country pubs on the cards so you could if you haven’t already go to
The Kings Head, Bawburgh.

My favourite Sunday Roast is served at The Rooftop Gardens in the city, £15 per person for quality perfectly cooked meat, served with a whole host of gorgeous sides and luscious gravy. All with views over the city and great service in this comfortable luscious space.
Further afield there you’ll find lovely country houses –

The Norfolk Mead Hotel, Church Loke, Coltishall, NR12 7DN
2 courses £23,50, 3 courses £31 – Country hotel, great service and a magnificent Sunday lavish roast.

Sunday night requires nothing but chillaxing - - maybe a take-away.

Monday Lunch

Norwich has the biggest open-air market in the UK with tons of stalls including over 30 foodie joints. Like Lasagne, Empanadas, Bao Buns, Spanish, French, patisseries, great coffee, a juicing bar, pots of shellfish, a vegan diner, Sicilian, falafel, Thai, (don’t go to the Chinese!) and Indian Street food - - some even have seating. But if it’s hot join the locals and eat at the top of the market opposite the Guild Hall with the longest balcony in Europe - - just a fact!

Alternatively – go casual and eat pizza at either

Brick – 39 Market Place, beside the market, closed on Sundays ipen from midday – the best pizza in Norwich with amazing toppings.

or the second-best pizza restaurant

Donnelli’s Pizzeria – they offer a mid-week small pizza and drink specials for £6 eat in, best value lunch deal in Norwich. Offering traditional Italian toppings. Open from midday 7 days a week.

Monday or Tuesday Dinner

Haggle – 13 St Benedict’s Street, open from midday 7 days a week. The million-pound Turkish restaurant with style and splendour. Go for sharing starters and dips and then tuck in to char grilled kebabs or slow cooked Middle Eastern stews, with a good portion of dipping bread. Finish with Kanufa – the best dessert in the wold, think mac n cheese but sweet! They also do amazing cocktails. So, if you fancy sitting on the bar and snacking do that instead.

Al Dente on 25b St Giles street, on the corner of St Giles car park is a lovely little modern Italian restaurant making fresh pasta and other classic authentic dishes at good prices by their resident Italian chef. Open 7 days a week from 8am, Sundays from 10am for breakfast (for baps), lunch and dinner.

Fancy an Indian my favourite is The Tamarind in Blofield, Woodbastick Road, NR134AB, 15 – 20 minutes’ drive from Norwich City Centre. Always freshly cooked with crisp poppadum’s. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, except Friday lunch.

The Giggling Squid, 24 Tombland is a new growing family run chain, but they serve authentic Thai dishes cooked by Thai chefs. It’s on the expensive side like most Thai’s but the food is delicious and served with a modern twist. Their Massiman curry is the best around (apart from mine at Lodge Farm Kitchen – Cookery Courses). Open every day from 12.

Middleton’s Steak House & Grill, 11-15 Timber Hill, is a local family run restaurant of two. It offers quality steaks, grills and burgers at good prices with good portions. Smart restaurant, fabulous service and plenty of tables but because its buzzing you might have to book at night, they also offer a good priced lunch time 2 (£8.95) or 3 course meal (£9.95). Open from midday 7 days a week.

Gonzo’s – Also offer the best burgers and wings in Norwich (see cocktail info) - - its mad and rustic but if you’re in to burgers & dogs - - ‘Gonzo’s’ a dog you know.

Blue Joanna’s a piano bar and restaurant on 103 Unthank Road just outside the city, NR22PE. They do amazingly tasty sharing dishes, like the best chicken wings of my life. If you love good food with exotic flavours, you’ll love Blue Joanna’s. Closed Sunday & Monday, open some lunches and Wed-Sat evenings from 5.30 or 6pm.

You’ll need to fit in an Afternoon Tea - - - skip lunch, skip dinner or go for a light bite later in the day.

The Assembly Rooms, Theatre Street – is a gorgeous Georgian mansion in the heart of the city on theatre Street, they’ll often put on events, have rooms of art or simply pop in for coffee and cake in their central lounge area. But they just happen to offer the best afternoon tea in Norwich for £20 per person, served from 12-4.30pm. With an amazing pastry chef – you won’t be disappointed. Plus think of this place for pre-theatre meals, light lunches or simply cake & coffee until late.

St Giles House (41-45 St Giles Street) – is a lavish Art Deco Hotel on St Giles. Great for tapas on the terrace, a cocktail in the bar or afternoon tea in their restaurant. Attentive service and impressive pastry’s. Cocktails around £8 - 9

Biddy’s Tea Rooms – 15 Lower Goat Lane, offer a more relaxed casual café style afternoon tea, pre-booking only in their quirky upstairs sitting room. With your choice of freshly baked cakes and tray bakes along with flump scones & a good choice of tea. Afternoon Tea £13.95 pp

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Lunch

The Tipsy Vegan – 68 – 70 St Benedict’s Street, yes, its vegan but its Diner classics and sharing stuff with the most amazing flavours. Plus, they do wicked cocktails. Open every day from 11am.

Shiki’s – A brilliant Japanese restaurant on 6 Tombland. Go for a lunch time bento box (£12) with some Saki or Green tea. Closed Sunday & Monday, open for lunch and dinner. For other Japanese recommended restaurants (untried by me as yet) try Ciscoe’s on 25 Ber Street, for Pan Asiana & Sushi, open every day for lunch and dinner. Or Soyokaze 13 St Giles with a small intimate dining area & additional seating upstairs, offering a lunch time deal & full authentic menu for lunch and dinner.

The Dining Rooms at Cinema City, St Andrews Street with its cool independent vibe part of the picture house chain, with 3 screens offering the best in films. Eat well in the restaurant or eat casually in the bar plus alfresco seating. While you’re there take in a picture, you can even take wine in from the bar or some locally made snacks from the shop. Think of this place for dinner too. Open every day from 10am.

Timber Hill Bakery – 27 – 29 timber Hill, An Irish couple decided to choose us lucky Norwich people to land their amazing bakery. They offer fabulous toasties, sarnies and pastries. With good old juices, teas and coffees. Closed Sundays & Mondays, open every day from 8am, offing breakfast and Lunch, afternoon pastries.

The Waffle House, 39 St Giles Street - is without doubt a must, it’s a Norwich institution since 70’s, I’ve been waffling for 35 years. It’s still just so good – perfect flavours, a great menu using local ingredients with a good veggie selection. My highlight is plain waffles with banana’s and vanilla ice-cream, dousing in humungous amounts of maple syrup from the table. Try the malted milk milkshakes, try the side salad with blue cheese dressing and go large, double your waffle for around an extra pound. They also do a great 2 course lunch time special for around £11 per person. Opens all day from 10am – 10pm (Sat 11pm) for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Namaste – there’s 2 in Norwich, one large one on 130 – 139 Queens Road, maybe more of an evening place and 1 little one on 2A Opie Street, city centre more for lunch. Fabulous South Indian Vegetarian food – go for a big selection of starters to share and a Dosa pancake, if you’re both hungry add a curry. No licence, bring your own with corkage.

Dim sum is served at The Baby Buddha in 135 – 137 Ber Street every lunch time (but closed Mondays). Share 4 – 6 dishes between a couple at around £2.80 - £4 per dish. I love the Char Sui Buns, turnip Cake, prawn or pork fung chung and the Vietnamese fried spring rolls. But don’t forget to add some steamed dumplings. Open all day for lunch and dinner, with a full Chinese menu.

Light Bites - - or Takeaways

Moorish – 17 Lower Goat Lane, a falafel café to eat in or take away. They do a good valued £6-ish for falafel and lemonade. Three Home-made falafel, stuffed in to wholemeal or white pitta, packed with salad, three dips, humus and more with a home-made lemonade that’s minty and cold. Plain stuffed falafel from £4.70 - - but add a few flourishes like feta, aubergine, cous cous - - - -

Take away from the market - - go for Churros and Chorizo they do a good home-made daily stew. Sicilian Street Food offers a good pizza or calzoni (£3.50) and while you’re at it grab an arancini or two. OR Mia Cocina, she’ll pack you up a home-made south American pastry with tons of zesty fresh salad. To name but a few - - - - the worlds your oyster in Norwich Market.

Flaming Galah – 123 Ber Street, An Australian pie shop serving meaty or veggie delights on mash, peas and gravy. With exciting daily fillings like duck and red cabbage. Parking metres outside. Small seating area inside but it’s mainly a takeaway. Take away around £5. Day times only, closed some days – please call first.

Alley Ole – 20 Bridewell Alley. A chicken shop, sit in or take away. Rotisserie juicy chicken with potato bravas and salads. Also serving Pinxtos after 6pm plus cocktails and beers all day. Closed Sundays and Mondays, open 11am – 11pm.

Grosvenor – 28 Lower Goat Lane. Number one on Trip Advisor and well deserved, maybe the best fish and chip restaurant in the world. Go for the cool stuff like five-pound squid, or wako taco, go for their afternoon sea (platter for 2) or simply a gorgeous piece of Suffolk caught fish with perfectly cooked in beef dripping Norfolk potato chips. You can also take them opposite to the Birdcage pub but they have an amazing basement to chomp them in – just order up and they’ll bring ‘em down. Closed Sundays, open daily from 10.45am – 7.30pm.

Wednesday or Thursday Dinner

Let’s go special with five amazing restaurants to spoil yourself in.

Benedict’s – on the road of the same name, 9 St Benedict’s Street. With Norfolk’s own Food hero Chef Richard Bainbridge, creating some gorgeous flavours in a modern cheffy style. Closed Sunday and Mondays. Open for Lunch and Dinner.

Roger Hickman’s - In Upper St Giles – go for the taster menu with accompanying wine or stick to the classic 2, 3 course evening dinner. Classic creative and inventive with a good reputation and good following. Lunch and Dinner

Farmyard – 23 St Bandits Street, Offering ‘Bistronomy’ medium priced luscious award-winning stylish food. Choose from modern eating to hearty classic dishes. With a good wine selection and great service in this modern, airy busy restaurant. Closed Sunday & Monday. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Ivy – because only special cities have an Ivy. Decadently decorated with impeccable service and cooking. Classic dishes to comfort your soul.

Bishops – 8 – 10 St Andrews Hill, run by a French fellow this is a small independent romantic style restaurant with well-appointed dishes and scrumptious indulgent desserts. Offering a good priced two or three course evening meal. Closed Sunday & Monday. Open for lunch and dinner.

So, you’ve had a magnificent week in Norwich eating your way through some amazing foods. But quite frankly you’re sick of fabulous food, you can’t wait to get home put your feet up & have a lovely cup of tea with a hearty portion of beans on toast.

Because tomorrow the diet will have to start!

By Zena Leech-Calton ©
www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk

Out of this World Food Tours

I love to travel and I especially love to eat, in fact I love to travel to eat – there’s nothing like food, simple ingredients delivered fresh from nature & cooked with mouth-watering cultural expertise.

I wasn’t exactly on holiday but we were in London to celebrate my hubby’s big birthday. I’d already booked a lush hotel in Soho with a roof top hot tub plus Yottam’s restaurant next door for lunch, so what better way to celebrate our comparable passion for the yummy stuff than a food and drink walking tour.

I say ‘comparable passion’, I’m usually the one cooking it and he’s the one eating it!

Anyway, we booked ahead with ‘Eating London Tours’ for the ‘Soho Twilight Food Tour’ meeting at 4.30pm in front of an old haunting spot of mine, a pub I used to frequent in my London Cheffing days.

We were treated to two tour guides, one had just completed training and was more than capable, both were actors and well averse to delivering a confident and fluid tour, with friendly and fun professionalism.

And we were off, a good old introduction to the mainly American group with a small group of British girls, about 10 of us plus the guides. Not too big that you’re trailing behind unable to hear, but small enough to be friendly as we walked around, it’s a very sociable thing.

Our first port of call was at a local Mexican a very short walk away for a delicious mini frozen Margarita and a couple of tacos. There’s a lot to eat on these tours, so its advised to come hungry (maybe not go to lunch at Nopi, even if you take it easy and share a dessert!)

It’s good to know there’s a jug of water in each venue along with toilets which comes in handy.

There’s a great deal of knowledge as we walked around, all about Soho’s history, its famous residents, its architecture and its seedy side – especially its grotty core, which makes it such a special and exciting place.

I worked as a chef in London for 10 years, spent a fair bit of time in Soho but I got to find out all sorts of things I never knew, saw things I never noticed and was amazed by all the oddities of Soho, along with what Soho actually means? (I’m not going to tell you)

I loved the next stop after a brisk walk through the park and tucked away up some alleys was the Gin Club, we got a full-sized G&T with an introduction from the owner. And if that wasn’t enough we got a mini British pie, which worked well with the botanics of the house Gin.

Enrique Tomas was next, with its magnificent window display. These Spanish ‘parma ham’ beasts are becoming very popular all over London, with new branches popping up all over the place. We tasted 3 Iberico hams and 3 divine cheeses along with a good slug of rich red wine.

It’s worth mentioning that every stop includes a sit down, making the tour manageable for all ages and abilities, as long as you can cope with the small walks in-between. This tour very much focuses on food from all over the globe, which is what Soho’s all about, an eclectic melting pot of all sorts.

My favourite foodie spot was the Basque Pintxos joint where we got to choose any 2 dishes each from the amazing display of hot and cold tapas. I went for a hot salt cod croquette and a creamy Catalan dessert. Both delicious and no Twilight food tour would be complete without a little drinky to go with the food, so the waiter poured out some wine from a great height into little chunky glasses.

China Town was next on the list, a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant, for some moist and moorish steamed dim sum and a decretive pot of fragrant cocktail.

As if we weren’t full enough and packed full of interesting facts, our final destination was ‘Basement Sate’ for a well-deserved sweet conclusion of chocolate yumminess, oh, and of course a little mini champagne based cocktail.

 

Wow – – ‘oh, what a night’. Walking around from light to dark. Eating, drinking, chatting, listening and enjoying all Soho has to offer.

We finished around 8pm in Carnaby Street, early enough for ravers and late enough to enjoy one last tipple before we dragged our worn-out and slightly tipsy bodies back to the hotel.

 

The tour was £95 per person. I initially thought it expensive but on hind-sight it was good value. Six good sit-down places for snacks and drinks, a guide with the knowledge, a good old walk and over 3 hours of entertainment.

 

A fab time was had by all – –

 

By Zena Leech-Calton ©

Food writer and cookery tutor – – I do Food Tours in Norwich too, you know!

www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk

Business not as Usual

Lodge Farm Holiday Barns - Riverviews

Whats happened in the UK this year - were all saying the same, last year was bad enough but business is even slower this year. That Beast from the East did'nt help, with a rise in sunny continental holiday being booked. After all why would anyone look out of their window at ten tons of white slush and say 'oh, I think we need a break in Britain' Then we had the rain and the floods - all putting people off booking. BUT its GORGEOUS NOW.

So after 5 years of excellent bookings, this year we are down - - good news for customers who can grab last minute bargains but not so good for me with the bills still pilling up. But then thats the joy of running a business - - at least I'm not selling pork to Dubai, or party poppers to the morgue or grass seed in the sahara.

After all, I've got something good to sell - - Lodge Farm's top 10 reasons to come on holiday here.

  1. Stunning Views over Bawburgh Lakes - - catch a kingfisher, a glebe or a heron.
  2. 2 Acres of Activities - children playground, adults zip wire, picnic area, trampoline, lakeside path, seats and benches to chill.
  3. 4* Gold accommodation - its hard work to keep up standards, but we do with cleaning, quality of furnishings, little extras and good service.
  4. Norwich is so close - just a 10 minutes drive away, its in the top 10 of shopping places in the UK.
  5. Water, Water every where - we are surrounded on 3 sides by the lakes, the broads is 20 - 30 minutes away, beaches are 10 more with tons to choose from.
  6. Family Friendly - Were nice and helpful and live next door at lodge Farm, handy if you want to borrow some DVD's or ask about recomendations. Any potential problems are quickly resolved. Plus your supporting local businesses.
  7. The Borrowers List - - this is my thing! a list of all the fabulous things you can borrow, like bikes, massage chairs, DVD's, games, PSP - all sorts. Plus theres the treat box!
  8. The Wildlife - - i've counted 25 different birds, we entice them in the seeds. The rivers full of fish, swans, geese, ducks, moorhens and more. Then theres the rabbits, deer, otters, mink and shrews - - - - - the list goes on.
  9. A fabulous price - - forget Centre Pks, thats triple the price with less of the luxury and wildlife. Our prices are not only competitive, we keep them lower then other holiday rentals around to guarantee good value, plus we extra touches to make your break even better.
  10. Well Stocked - - I'd like to think everything you would need is in your barn. From the scales to the coffee pod machine, I think I've thought of everything and if I haven't you can borrow it.

So what are you waiting for - - contact me to book. A £75 holding and damage deposit is required via paypal or bacs with the remaining balance due 6 weeks prior to arrival and thats it - - - follow our directions and enjoy.

 

Heat Wave, Pop up’s, Availability & Facts

Its official East Anglia has the best climate in the whole of the UK - something to do with the fact that Norfolk and Suffolk is the big Smurf nose on Great Britain, the North Sea and the wind pull direction from the Mediterranean but I don't really know! But it is a fact. Like the fact Elm Hill in Norwich has more Medieval Buildings down that one street that the whole of London. Or Norwich Market is the biggest outdoor market in the whole of Europe or is that one of them (its big though).

But I do know Spring is in the air and we are expecting a heat wave, YES a HEATWAVE - not Doritos, actual nice weather, sun and everything. I can't wait, I love Spring. Lodge Farm is full of Daffodils, a million at least (I cant count), blossoms budding, little cute goslings are wandering around with noisy parents and the smells in the air are lusciously spring like.

I'm a little relieved because my 5th Annul PoP uP is over, I was worried about the weather, at one point a thunder storm was expected just as people were supposed to be arriving, but the sun came out and the feeling that Spring had landed was in our hearts as we filled up tea pots and took cake stands round jam packed full of freshly baked scones and sarnies.

49 people booked in for Afternoon Tea and we all know cakes are best made fresh, so I had an early start yesterday but it was all worth it. I even made my husband dress up like a Northern Toff and wheel the cake trolly round, Tiramisu pots, Date slice, Orange and Yogurt cake soaked in orange syrup, Ginger Parkin, fresh strawberries and Chocolate shortbread with fresh cream and raspberry adorned the display. But not before their choice of 2 either cheese, fruit or plain scones with 'The Tea Ladys' Strawberry & Champagne Jam, Clotted Cream and butter. But before that 'Can we get a Rewind' (thanks Craig) the guests had Chicken Coronation (it was good - I do a mean CC), Smoked Salmon and Cress, Cream cheese with cucumber and a smudge of mint jelly and Home baked ham with Local Fig'n'Apple Chutney.

The tea was Wilkinson's Afternoon Tea blend, Ceylon and Darjeeling. A scrumptious little number. BUT flipped heck I didn't expect the on-slaughter of Coffee drinkers, its AFTERNOON TEA, the clues in the title - I was cut short on that one, with only 2 cafe-tier and one bag of spare coffee. I think we must off made a dozen or more coffees all of whom had 2 - 3 cups each. I hate coffee now!!!

But everyone had a lovely time and we managed to raise £200 for 'Little Lifts' a local charity aiding gift boxes to women with breast cancer in primary care. Saskia my daughter earn some pocket money helping out as the main waitress and organiser, Nick my hubby didn't get paid in money but in cake later and my son managed to over sleep and earn nothing, hay ho!

Don't worry about Nick I'll take him out for lunch, to say thank you - maybe Afternoon Tea - - Noooooooo more, he cries!

Don't worry about me I've ended up with 11 cake stands, 2 vintage sets of crockery, 4 extra tea pots, a fridge full of whipping cream and Tiramisu, a whole ginger cake (I don't like Ginger Cake), 1/2lb of ham and some left over 'squids' for lunch in the city, oooh, and achy feet. Some good some not so good - just like life.

I won't mention my teen son!, thats a whole other blog.

So, thats over, the holiday barns are my priority now with Summer Bookings coming in  - its amazing what the threat of a heat wave does. We've been so slow holiday business wise lately, with the knock on effect from 'The Beast from the East'. I mean no one in their right mind sits in-doors while a foot of snow lands in their garden and thinks 'Lets go some where nice in England on Holiday in a few weeks'. Then there was the rain - - thanks the skies that spring is on the horizon and business is starting to pick up. I need the money, bills don't stop for the weather -

Did I tell you the one about my car - - I'll save that one for another day (Hint' its gone and I'm driving a hire car - yes, it was the weather, kind of).

So - - - - come and see us, fancy some cooking, fancy a holiday, fancy a break away, fancy my husband (you can have him), fancy some wildlife, fancy skinny dipping in Bawburgh River with a tea cosy on your head - - - its all here at Lodge Farm.

Over and Out - Zena x

www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk - me other one

I’ve got a Brazilian

Seven years of Lodge Farm, seven years of debt, seven years of working - but finally after 3 years of saving we have fitted the last piece of the jig-saw.

For years I've been looking out of my kitchen window - in between teaching cookery courses and scowling at the 1940's concrete patio, uneven, unloved and old fashioned. We've done bits and pieces through the years but couldn't afford to do it all properly - after all its a massive slab of back garden.

So 3 weeks ago I got the boys in - Gavin, Karl and Kieron from GPS Landscaping to do their magic on my big plan. http://www.gpspaving.co.uk in case you wanna recommendation - tell them Zena sent ya!

Of course being a foodie it was all about the Al Freso BBQ, an outside kitchen was just the thing I dreamed about. So the Brazilian, south American pit is sunk in to the paving to form an Earth Pit BBQ, for all sorts of cooking. You can cook a joint of meat on a skewer stuck in to the ground, judge the wind and put it where the flames will blow the joint to cook. You can add a tripod and cook in a dutch oven  - a pot hanging over the fire. You can burry some goodies in tin foil or if I'm feeling fruity, banana leaves and cook in the ambers, or even hot stones. Plus you can cook off a stick - like marshmallows or smores. Endless fire fun.

Then theres the Victorian Bricked BBQ area, all in sections, one for a BBQ grill, one for a Butlers sink, one massive long slot for the Okabbassi / Mangal Grill (Kebab Trough) and some for the worktops or anything else I fancy. Plus we've put in a stand for a Pizza Oven, when we can save up some more.

So - im sooo soooo happy, its finally nearly, almost done! - Just got to grab the electrician, the plumber to copper weld some taps and the carpenters to fit the roof - - oh, and the fencer to keep out the wildlife.

Then I can put on some summer spectaculars like out Afternoon Tea being held on April 14th from 1pm - - see events on www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk for more information. The official opening of 'Lodge Farm's Outdoor Kitchen'. Then hopefully I'll put on some BBQ cookery classes through the summer - more details to follow.

So come on over and take a gander - - but don't fall down the pit!!!

 

Seven Year’s in Tibet – well’ Lodge Farm

I'm sorry to neglect Lodge Farms Blog - I must admit to writing endlessly for www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk all about food and more food, usually while eating food and then I sit back and dream about food a bit more.

 

But my focus for at least 10 minutes will evolve around the my last 7 years at Lodge Farm - time has flown by and we have finally saved enough to do the last bit of building work at Lodge Farm, by the way of replacing the old patio garden out the back. It's an isor of 50's concrete paving with the leaning tower of BBQ pisa in the corner. I'm not talking about food, I'm really not but we are building an outdoor kitchen area, with a earth fire pit and a lovely lounge area - so I might be able to include it all in to my cookery school - - see it wasn't about food!!!! Work starts in a month and hopefully will be out of the way for Christmas - where I won't be thinking about food at all.

 

This time of year we do longer stays - mainly so I don't have to clean and iron - !!! It's prefect I can chill back a bit, get on with other stuff and familys have a comfy home from home for a few months while in transit -

 

The swans are still going strong, their 3 ugly grey ones are floating around somewhere - but regularly get chased of by Elvis & Pricilla - teens!!! Charlie Jrn, Boo, Doris and Splodge the geese wander of in Autumn to get more food so I only see them once or twice a week. The chickens are malting and look very ugly! even Fluff bum the feathery Barham (can't spell it) looks bedraggled and the poor things are now down to 6 in number. Im hoping to get some rare breed ones in Spring - I'm missing the tasty green eggs and being able to identify them. (I didn't mention food!)

 

Bawburgh Village has been active this last few months with the annual Bonfire, BBQ and firework spectacular - we had a record 400 people show up this year and sold out of our locally sourced organic burgers and bangers. Sold out of my special mulled wine mix and we even sold out of homemade soup and bread rolls.

 

My daughters annual Christmas fair is on Sat Nov 25th - - please come and show your support she's raising money for the Princes trust - 20 stalls, my cafe selling Crimbo wraps and home made cakes, santa and festive cheer. 10-2pm Bawburgh Village Hall.

 

Then theres the annual Christmas lunch for the villages, Im on the ham -

 

Im off for some food - - - - sorry!!!

Zena

x

 

Rain, Spain & Swan for Main

Whats happening with the weather - - it is July.

However as I've said before the weather is always fantastic at Lodge Farm its set in a 'Simpsons Movie bubble dome, unpenitrable from the bad stuff but unlike springfield you can get in and out really easily. I'm just hoping for some good rays on Saturday for my daughters 18th and my 50th birthday party here at Lodge Farm - Party 1850. The place is looking stunning, hummocks have been hung, benches moved, grass cut, trees trimmed and the geese are on there best behaviour in readiness.

Even my dads come back from Spain - where its far too hot. Who wants 'bum crack hot', thats when its scolding hot & you feel sweat run down your back and in to crevices not usually accessed in Britain! I'm sorry for my crudeness but when it happens its really not nice - - - of course Lodge Farm's magic dome stops all that horrible stuff, leaving you comfortably dry and warm.

Talking about summer Elvis and Pricilla the resident swans had 7 cygnets a few months ago but as usual they've been left with a lot less. How cruel nature is - 3 cygnets remain. Its the pike in the lake - - its very rare many chicks survive, with the big fish, otters and mink nothing small has a chance. The geese have got it right they 'ween' on land - avoiding the water for too long.

We've been running Lodge Farm Holiday Barns for 5 years now - - we have noticed this year, that business has gone very slow. Everybody's in the holiday trade is complaining - - what with disasters, terrorist attacks, elections, Trumps and more people just arn't going away as much - - - so if you want a bargain look at our last minute specials. We even have a week available in all three barns in August if you fancy a week away with friends or family. This week The Dairy's been empty - thats never happened before in July - - - so lets hope 2018 turns back to normal for the British tourist trade.

I’ve got a one track mind – FOOD

 

I love Lodge Farm - on a sunny day with the glimmer of the lake and all the wildlife buzzing around cackling in the distance with the lush green of all the trees as they sway in the wind.

 

I love my children - despite the fact they are teenagers and quite frankly a pain in the bum at times, But I still love em and want to do whats right by them and bring them up to be good, happy an healthy.

 

I love my husband - - despite the fact he's a moody old northern so and so - I look forward to growing old with him, traveling and enjoying hopefully a healthy retirement together.

 

I love myself - i'm quite happy to have a good chat to myself, I think I'm a good person - I live my life with 'if its fair - its ok, if its not fair then don't do it - so I can sleep at night all peaceful and happy.

 

BUT

 

I LOVE FOOD MORE -

It's not just a passion, its my life, its my every waking thought, its my imagine before bed I - then I dream of foodie pleasures and wake up to do it all again. I love to teach - exciting themes, I love to watch food blogs from far flung places, I love to eat out, I love people to cook for me, I love to discover new flavours, I love to experiment and spend hours writing recipes and coming up with things to try. I love to cook - - -

Then theres the other stuff like food history, food science, experiments with chemical reactions - food thickeners, food enhancers, things that fizz and foam. Gaining knowledge learning new ingredients, facts and figures.

Like do you know what 'Kecap Manis' is - its a thick syrupy sweet Indonesian soya sauce, great for dipping or enhancing stir-frys, noodle dishes or fried rice.

Did you know 'Worcestershire Sauce' has got fermented anchovies in it - thats because fish brings out the flavours in meat, Roman's did it with fermenting fish guts, Asians do it with fish sauce or shrimp paste. We do it with Worcestershire - -

Did you know if you massage a lemon its more juicy - - - -

It's a never ending pool of Loving Food - yes, even more than life it's self!!!!

So when you some to Lodge Farm Holiday Barns you can be assured that your kitchen is full of the things you need, Norwich is full of great places to eat, the Guest Book is full of recommendations and if you fancy it you can even have a cookery lesson or scoff on ice-cream in the diner - - or just enjoy take-aways with no washing up but great views.

Norwich City Site Seeing Bus – Hop on hop off

 

Today I was lucky enough to get a free trip upon the big red bus to promote tourism in our fine city –

When you find out Chapelfield roundabout used to be called Phenomena Corner because it was the coldest place in the city you know you’re on to a winner.

Tons of seats upstairs or down, open or not – any weather for £10 adults and £5 kids for a 24 hour pass plus concessions and family passes at reduced rates.

Just the round trip is about 50-60 minutes with a running commentary – telling you everything you need to know about our magnificent history and its glorious buildings – take in The Assembly house, the castle, the cathedral, the puppet theatre and more – Plus you get to go all the way up to the top of Mousehold and stop of at Britannia café for a free cup of tea with a bought in cake.

But between you and me Britannia café is amazing, views over the city, really reasonably priced food, ice-creams, cakes, lunch and dinner – there is something for everyone like kebabs and pitta, to fish and chips to soups to sarnies to salads – so its well worth staying over for lunch and a walk on Mousehold before hopping back on the bus again.

Plus, the bus has stops at Norwich train station and the Bus terminal – so a great last thing to do if you’re on your way home.

There are 9 main hop on hop off stops including Tombland for the Cathedral and Elm Hill (with the most medieval buildings in one street than any other place in the UK). A stop for the castle so you can take in the museum or simply shop at castle mall (one of 2 indoor shopping centres). Plus, a stop on Kings street so you can visit Dragon Hall or riverside for cinema, restaurants, bars and more.

I really enjoyed myself, learnt a whole lot more about the city and would truly recommended it to anyone even if your local -

- - - ps - the bus didn't drive upside down - but the picture is! - -

For the Love of Food – Eat Norwich

Norwich has over 500 food and drinking places, with 100's of independents in that list. When I travel I google and trip advise all the best places to eat, its not about price, its about the experience and the quality of the food - the love and the passion the chef plants in to each dish. So, it can be the ethnic cafe, the greasy spoon, the 3* latest rave or simply a locals back street wonder - if it serves up good food, I'm there - I don't even care if the owner is a Whelk and the Waitress a clam - - just give me the food!!!

My top places to graze –

  1. Cookies Crab Shop – The Green, Salthouse, Holt, NR25. (ok not Norwich but worth the 40 minute drive in to North Norfolk) My absolute favourite food is Lobster and you can get half a lobster platter for under £15 packed with salad, prawns, several types of smoked mackerel, cockles, good old fashioned bread & butter and more. It’s a rustic beach shack spilling out in to the yard with a purpose made summer house and a marquis crammed with seating but it’s pure charm on the North Norfolk coast. Bookings a must in the summer months or get a takeaway and enjoy on the beach.
  1. Gonzo’s Tea Room – 68 London Street, Norwich. Is a crazy mad eccentric ‘man cave’ full of wonder, like a zillion collectable figures, pictures and stuff on stuff. But they serve the best burgers & sweet potato fries in Norwich and certainly the best wings with 7 finger licking toppings like blue cheese and walnut. But it’s not for everyone – it helps if you’re a little crazy yourself!
  1. Figbar – 23 St John Maddermarket, Norwich. Sometimes all’s you want is dessert and desserts all they do (we’ll except for a couple of savoury pastries). Delicious top London standard blends of sweet yumminess for around £6-8 or just opt for one of their freshly baked and prepared cakes ‘n’ bakes – all done to sweet perfection.
  1. Workshop – 53 Earlham Road, Norwich.                   My favourite lunch time haunt. It’s not about the service or the restaurant - that’s all casual, it’s about the delicious Mediterranean Middle Eastern infused tapas style dishes. Choose a couple each and share. The menus stuck to the bar (don’t try and move it!) and served from mid-day. I’ve only ever had one good dish the rest have been amazingly gorgeous and superbly delivered in taste.
  1. St Giles Hotel – 41-45 St Giles Street, Norwich.                   If you fancy superb service in a gorgeous art deco setting with quality food to match then St Giles is pure indulgence without the cost. St Giles is part of my food and drink walking tours, because it simply ticks all the right boxes.
  1. Grosvenor Fish & Chips – 28 Lower Goat, Lane, Norwich. Norfolk potatoes and Suffolk fish are superbly cooked together making the tastiest Fish & Chips probably in the world. The Grosvenor is no 1 on trip advisor and rightly so. The seating downstairs is atmospheric, the menu inspiring with exciting goodies like Wako Taco, five quid squid and more – for me it’s the highlight of my walking tour, just one of the many places we visit for a bite.
  1. Baby Buddha Chinese Teahouse –139 Ber Street, Norwich. One of my food pleasures in life is Dim Sum, I’ve even started teaching it at Lodge Farm Kitchen. Baby Buddha does a great lunch time menu with a few dozen tapas sized Chinese classic fried, steamed and baked goodies. I love the turnip cake – actually made from mooli. Fried wontons, spring rolls and steamed BBQ pork buns are all classic favourites but Fung Chung is my go to dim sum – steamed thick rice noodles stuffed with a choice of pork, minced beef or prawn. I enjoy my dim sum with a pot of jasmine tea at least every other month.
  1. Moorish – 17 Lower Goat Lane, Norwich. Take away or eat in falafel pittas – packed full of freshly prepared shredded salad, humus and a choice of chilli, yogurt & mint or tahini sauce – or go for all three. A basic falafel to take away is £3.80 delicious, filling, cheap and healthy.
  1. Woolf and Social – 21-23 Nelson Street, Norwich. Local Artisan bread, tempting exciting sharing dishes and great cocktails. Everything tastes so good in this local, just out of the city small but perfectly formed modern restaurant.
  1. Blue Joanna’s – 103 Unthanks Road, Norwich. A great mix of blue tacos with different fillings, small sharing dishes and tasty sides, they do the best fresh cut chips in Norwich – perfectly seasoned and moorish – load the table and enjoy. I can’t wait to go back for breakfast the menu looks amazing.
  1. Brick Pizza – 39 Market Place, Norwich.          Simply the best pizzas in Norwich. I like the one with pear & walnuts but the classics are good too. A great dough, amazing tomato sauce and the best quality toppings all cooked in a wood burning oven to perfection.
  1. Dray yard Smoke House – 31 Exchange Street, Norwich. My kids (well teens now) love this American smoke house of meatiness. For lunch they sometimes do an amazingly good value £5 mid-week main meal – with choices like burger and fries, ribs n wings, mac & cheese or maybe even a burrito with slow cooked shredded pork perfect for family, friends or a lunch time treat.
  1. Waffle House – 39 St Giles Street, Norwich.                   A family favourite. I’ve been enjoying these tasty waffles for over 30 years. The milkshakes are the best in Norwich, I love the fact they source locally and ethically. My favourite is the hummus and avocado but I sometimes go for the specials if they have a curry on plus I can never resit the house salad with blue cheese dressing on the side – always tasty with friendly service.
  1. Flaming Galah – 123 Ber Steet, Norwich.                   My favourite chilly day take away. An Australian pie and mash shop. The specials are very special I’ve enjoyed succulent duck with red cabbage and come exciting Thai infusions, along with their classic menu – I love the chicken pie, so creamy and packed full served on a bed of mash, topped with mushy peas and smothered in rich gravy for just under a fiver with a drink to take out.
  1. Café Gelato – 6 Opie Street, Norwich. Norwich’s new proper Italian Gelato shop, gelato is freshly made ice-cream made mainly with milk making it soft and smooth. The Italian owner and creator makes tasty seasonal specials. It’s a great place to pop in to for a scoop and coffee.
  1. Namaste – 2a Opie Street, Norwich.                   While working in London as a chef, we often enjoyed south Indian vegetarian food always ordering Bel Poori, a bit like rice krispies, Bombay mix, cold potato & raw onions with spicy sauce, tamarind and yogurt – sounds strange but it tastes incredible. Namaste offer similar south Indian favourites including Dosa’s large stuffed lentil flour pancakes.
  1. Assembly House – Theatre Street, Norwich.                   One of my absolute favourite things to do is indulge in afternoon tea and I think the Assembly house is the best place to do just that. An historic Georgian building full of charm with great service to match. A perfect afternoon tea has to offer fresh loose tea, cut the crusts of the bread and always serve clotted cream with freshly bakes scones – they do just that, offering a big range of Wilkinson’s local tea and serving everything just right.
  1. Lust & Liquor – 2-4 St Benedict’s Street, Norwich. Is my top choice for cocktails, superbly blended with fresh ingredients, attention to detail with a lot of professional care and love which is just what a cocktail needs.

There are 3 places we haven’t managed to get to yet but will do very soon because I know there going to be great – B’Nou, Benedicts and Badgers Bottom Secret Dining  - 2017 here we come.

Not to mention my cookery classes, I offer bespoke cookery classes like no other cookery school around. Offering 15 themes specialising in Asian cuisine and ranging from Bread to tapas. My main 2 classes are a mini theme for 2 and a group cookery course for up to 8 – always private for your organised group – you can’t get more foodie than that.

My Food and Drink Walking Tours take in a hefty portion of local independent Norwich food joints in over 3.5 hours in a 3 mile tasty walk. For more details go to www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk

Zena Leech-Calton (c) Cookery Tutor and Food Writer